Tuesday, 5 December 2017

What would you do if your husband’s life suddenly changed irrevocably and he is about to give up hope? You take over and give him the strength to go on by loving him unconditionally, just like Diana Cavendish (Claire Foy) did in this inspiring true story that is coming to life on the big screen in January 2018.

BREATHE is actor, Andy Serkis’s (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Rise, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) directorial debut and he worked very closely with scriptwriter, William Nicholson (Gladiator, Les Misérables, First Knight) to tell this story of his best friend and producer, Johnathan Cavendish’s (Bridget Jones’s Diary, Elizabeth: The Golden Age) parents with the sensitivity and empathy that it deserved.

Adventurous and charismatic, Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield) has his whole life ahead of him when he is paralyzed by polio whilst in Africa at the age of twenty-eight. Against all advice, Robin’s wife Diana brings him home from the hospital where her devotion and witty determination transcends his disability. Together they refuse to be imprisoned by his suffering; dazzling others with their humor, courage, and lust for life. They also use their own story to inspire other people who are going through similar circumstances. Clever technology makes it possible for Robin to ‘get out of bed’ and experience new adventures and enables him to become an advocate for disabled people across the world.

The movie, which is set in the 1950’s, not only boasts a beautiful set and costume design, but also a star-studded cast. Andrew Garfield, who plays Robin, is famous for his roles in The Social Network, Never Let Me Go, The Amazing Spider-Man and Silence. Claire Foy, who is praised for her accurate portrayal of Diana Cavendish, starred in Season of the Witch and Going Postal.

“The most important thing to get was their love for each other. I didn’t want to over-sentimentalize her, and she definitely doesn’t want to be seen as a saint, or an angel, or incredible sort of nurse. It was actually just true love,” says Foy about getting into character for this part.

Hugh Bonneville, who has already been nominated for BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his role in Downtown Abbey, and Tom Hollander (Mission Impossible, About Time, Pirates of the Caribbean) can also be seen in the movie.

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and was also screened at the Opening Night Gala at the BFI London Film Festival. It has already been nominated for an Archie Award for Best First Feature at the Philadelphia Film Festival and Best Makeup and Hair Design and Sound at the Independent British Film Awards. During the Heartland Film Festival, it won the Truly Moving Picture Award.

BREATHE is a heart-warming and highly emotional celebration of bravery and human possibility, a love story about living every breath as though it’s your last. It will appeal to audiences of all ages, but especially if you enjoyed The Theory of Everything, Lion, The Imitation Game, and Brooklyn.

This inspirational movie is distributed by Ster-Kinekor Entertainment and will be released in South African cinemas on 19 January 2018.